Absolute Death Game

The attacks of Soul Reaper Yan Qi did not seem particularly terrifying. The black fireballs were launched every five seconds on average. With the protection of the Qi-Protecting Aura and Ethereal Armor, plus the constant healing from Hua Yueying in the background, Wu Tao was able to withstand them.

However, as they watched the BOSS's health gradually decrease, everyone was not relieved but instead became more tense than ever.

It's almost common knowledge in online games that bosses become more challenging towards the end, and it seemed that this game was no exception.

Sure enough, when the BOSS's health had dropped by a quarter, the BOSS began to make a move.

Soul Reaper Yan Qi: "Do you think you can defeat me simply by outnumbering me? Then let me show you what real numbers look like! Rise, my slaves, and contribute your final value."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

From within the surrounding black flames, figures without heads rose up and began to converge on the group in the middle, so numerous they seemed almost countless.

Xiao Buli clicked on one with his mouse. The monster was named 'Headless Walking Corpse' with just over a hundred health points, but there were way too many of them.

"Everyone, group up! Clear the minor monsters quickly! Zhao Yunlong and Wang Gang, come back and clear these things, fast!"

Zhang Yaoyang was directing everyone to regroup while once again releasing four hounds.

Armed with high Armor, Zhao Yunlong was the first to brandish his spear and plunge into the crowd of corpses.

"Ultimate Skill—Tyrant Fishing Rod Style!" His spear swung continuously like a rod through the crowd, each swing taking down more than a dozen Walking Corpses. After five or six such strikes, he had taken down at least twenty Headless Walking Corpses, but having only one Heart of Mysteries, he could muster no more after this burst.

Wang Gang activated his Savage Collision skill, bulldozing back and forth through the crowd like a bulldozer. Although it didn't deal much damage, it effectively impeded the advance of the oncoming horde. Du Yibo threw a Giant Fireball, which exploded upon impact and flipped five or six Headless Walking Corpses into the air, but it was still not enough to stop the advance of the horde.

The sheer number of minor monsters was overwhelming, wave after wave, seemingly endless. As they continued to gather and almost surround the formation, the players had no choice but to tighten their ranks even further.

"Use your ultimate if you have it, or it will be too late!" Zhang Yaoyang screamed desperately. Just as his words ended, Xiao Buli noticed a figure stepping out of the crowd.

It was Liu Xing, who bent down to his sword, performing a gesture like he was about to use a charged skill.

But aren't Swordsmen known for their lack of AOE skills? Xiao Buli thought to himself. In the next instant, his question was answered. Liu Xing's figure began to spin like a top, a whirlwind of Sword Qi swirling around him as he plunged into the horde.

Ultimate Skill—Wind Rolls The Scattered Clouds!

This move seemed to be an enhanced version of Blade Storm, whirling for a full ten seconds before stopping. When he did stop, a circle of dismembered corpses lay around him, having carved a path through the engulfing horde.

Wow, what a domineering ultimate. Is this the power of an Ultimate Skill? It seems that Physical Professions might not be so inferior to Mage Professions after all. I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to learn one? As Xiao Buli pondered this, he momentarily lost focus.

"Stop daydreaming and shield the tank!" Upon hearing the shout, Xiao Buli snapped back to reality and quickly began casting Ethereal Armor on Wu Tao again.

Once the minor monsters were cleared, everyone was finally able to resume their offense, deliberately slowing down this time to give everyone a chance to recover.

Just as the BOSS's health reached half, it started its monologue again.

Soul Reaper Yan Qi: "Don't think it's over yet. Their bodies may have decayed, but their souls will still answer my call. Appear, my slaves!"

The throne constructed from human skulls suddenly exploded, and from each skull emerged a translucent wraith. Hundreds of wraiths circled in the air, issuing piercing screams that in a computer case-opened studio felt like a haunt of specters.

After circling for a few rounds, these wraiths descended and began attacking the people in the middle.

The damage from the wraiths was minimal, and they were very easy to dodge, with a meager ten or so health points each. At first, everyone was somewhat relieved, hoping it wouldn't take much to deal with them, but quickly realized things were not that simple.

"Damn it, why can't I kill these things?"

Li Chuang complained as he shot an arrow at a wraith, only to see it pass right through without causing any damage.

The others had similar issues, only the Five Elements Warlock's fire spell caused some damage to these wraiths, but even that was limited. Everyone struggled to dodge, looking rather pathetic. Only Bai Yunfei was not attacked; the wraiths seemed to not notice him at all, passing back and forth without ever laying a finger on him.

"Old Bai, you're a Necromancer, right? Hurry up and deal with them."

"It's no use; my forte is harnessing the Power of Taiyin, which against these spirits is like pouring oil on fire. They can only be hurt by Sun Power."

"Hua, hurry up and help me!"

Hua Yueying responded irritably, "Didn't you see I'm healing?" While saying this, she still cast a beam of white light towards the densest cluster of wraiths, which melted away just like ice cream meets boiling water under the light's touch.

After shining on the wraiths and killing a few, Hua Yueying noticed her mana starting to run low. "Damn, I don't have any area damage skills. But I might have a trick to try; Xiao Buli, cover for me for a bit."

Without waiting to see if Xiao Buli could keep Wu Tao alive, she immediately started channeling her ultimate move.

Xiao Buli hurriedly spammed Resurrection Skills and Ethereal Armor on Wu Tao, his heart racing as he watched Wu Tao's health constantly drop.

"Quick, heal me or I'm gonna die!" Wu Tao shouted while gulping down a giant potion. It felt like an eternity, but in less than ten seconds, Hua Yueying's ultimate was finally unleashed.

"In my name, I beckon thy life, Yellow Turban Strongman, appear forthwith at my command!"

As Hua Yueying's character let out a delicate shout, a beam of golden light descended from the sky and a muscular, half-transparent figure began to emerge within it, clad in a yellow turban and wielding a Decorated Giant Axe, imperiously appearing beside Hua Yueying, half-floating in the air.

Upon sighting the Yellow Turban Strongman, the wraiths seemed to fear him, scattering away hastily.

Zhang Yaoyang couldn't help but be speechless, "Damn, why didn't you summon this thing earlier?"

"Once a day, works only on Undead." Hua Yueying's explanation was brief but clear. While explaining, she swallowed a Seven-Star Resurrection Elixir and continued to restore Wu Tao's health, thankfully keeping him from dying.

Right after entering the fray, the Yellow Turban Strongman started harvesting the surrounding wraiths. With a swing of his great axe, the blade sliced through the air, dispersing the wraiths, soul and spirit alike. Not only did his attacks deal double damage to spiritual bodies, but they also inflicted soul searing effects.

Even if they weren't slain outright, just a graze could burn away the pitiful health of these wraiths in mere seconds. After a few sweeps, he cleared out all the aggrieved spirits.

"Thank heavens you're here," Zhang Yaoyang sighed in relief and reorganized the formation, continuing to barrage the BOSS fervently.

As the BOSS's health dropped to a quarter, predictably, it began to speak again. Each speech indicated an imminent powerful attack from the BOSS, instantly tightening everyone's nerves.

Soul Reaper Yan Qi: "To have held out this long before me, you have caught my eye, lowly human Wu Tao. Accept this honor."

Wu Tao, who had been tanking the BOSS, suddenly found himself floating and saw a flash of red light from the Soul Reaper's hand, casting an unknown spell on him. The next moment, the BOSS's name shifted from the red border that signified an enemy to a green border indicating an ally, and a new DEBUFF 'Soul Reaper' appeared in the top right corner of the screen, lasting for 30 seconds.

Drawing on his similar gaming experience, he almost instantly realized, "Everyone be careful, I've been controlled!"

"Dispel it, quick!" Zhang Yaoyang shouted, his heart suddenly leaping.

Proving her professional gamer skills, Hua Yueying almost instantly reacted as Wu Tao's name changed color, casting Dispelling simultaneously.

Demons and devils begone!—A flash of white light and Wu Tao's name remained the same vivid red of an enemy unit. He also used 'Heart As Still Water' to become immune to Zhao Yunlong's 'Solo Charge' taunt effect and rushed towards the two healers on this side.

"It can't be dispelled."

"Then wipe him out!" The words blurted out by Zhang Yaoyang gave Wu Tao quite a shock.

Most hesitated, but Li Chuang, without a word, let fly an arrow.

"Don't do it!" Wu Tao cried out as a red -35 appeared above his character. Zhang Yaoyang came to his senses, "Damn, I forgot we aren't playing Warcraft. Stop attacking, Li Chuang, can we not be so literal?"

Fortunately, the rest weren't cruel enough to focus fire on Wu Tao. He took only one arrow and didn't drop dead, as Hua Yueying timely cast a Demon-binding Curse! Six pillars of light shot up from the ground, creating an invisible cage that trapped Wu Tao and didn't let him out.

The spell's duration was very short but enough for him to break free from the 'Soul Reaper' status as Wang Gang quickly took over tanking the BOSS again.

"Good, he's controlled. The rest of you, beat the BOSS with everything you've got!"

After a fierce beating, the BOSS's health was finally depleted, freeing Wu Tao from the control of the Soul Reaper Skills.

Was it finally over? Everyone thought so, but things turned out not as optimistic as everyone hoped. Although the BOSS collapsed, the black flames around didn't disappear; a sinister and low voice echoed in the great hall.

Soul Reaper Yan Qi: "The human shell is truly fragile and useless, it seems it's time to show the true power of the Demon Clan!"

The lifeless corpse of the BOSS suddenly stood up once more. Its body cracked bit by bit as if something was burrowing out from within. As the human skin fell away like shed snakeskin, a hideous and horrendous giant over three meters tall appeared before everyone. Its entire body was wrapped in a shell-like black Armor.

The creature stretched out its hand, and a massive sword emitting black Demonic Flame materialized from thin air, held tight in its grasp.

"Come on, did this guy believe in the Spring God or what? Is this never going to end?" Zhang Yaoyang lamented.